Country : Canada / Québec Label : ATMA Classique Genres and styles : Modern Classical / période romantique / post-romantique Year : 2024

Orchestre symphonique de Laval/Alain Trudel – Champagne : Symphonie gaspésienne

· by Frédéric Cardin

Quebec is rich in composers and symphonic works. Unfortunately, this reality is poorly represented on disc. As a nation constantly seeking to assert its presence in the world, this situation should be a source of embarrassment and even shame. Here, the excellent Orchestre symphonique de Laval under the direction of Alain Trudel (no, he hasn’t returned. The recording was made before his departure in 2023) makes up for this by performing an iconic work by one of our great composers: Claude Champagne’s Symphonie gaspésienne. Why aren’t there more versions of this grandiose romantic fresco? It’s beyond me. As I’ve said, the Symphony, which is a single piece lasting some twenty minutes, evokes Romanticism, but also Debussy and La Mer in its sumptuous outbursts and harmonic swirls that are not unaware of Impressionism. Trudel propels his musicians and animates them with a vibrant fervor that brings to life one of the most important scores in the history of Canadian and Quebec music, as it is one of the first of its kind. It’s beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and the OSL sounds magnificent. This is a landmark reading. Finally!

Alain Trudel had the good sense not to be content with just one work from Quebec, adding to the program André Prévost’s Célébration, a piece written for the centenary of Canada in 1967 and premiered by the Halifax Symphony Orchestra. The angularity of Prévost’s harmonies is evident from the very first bursts of brass. This is by far the most “modern” piece on the program. It’s also beautifully orchestrated (Prévost knew how to do that) and atmospheric. I imagine it must have sounded a little rough for a “celebration”, but never mind, it’s superb. 

The program is rounded off by two European masterpieces based on national folklore, Bartok’s Suite de danses Sz 77 (no, not the Romanian Dances!) and Kodaly’s spectacular Galanta Dances. These are perfect partners, serving to showcase the OSL’s impressive range of coloristic capabilities. Listen carefully to the shimmering, sumptuous sonic tableau created in the Kodaly, ending with a rousing conclusion. Very exciting!

The Laval-based orchestra once again confirms its place as one of the finest ensembles not only in Quebec, but also in Canada.

The album will be available on August 30.

Latest 360 Content

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Sister Ray – Believer

Sister Ray – Believer

Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto

Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto

Nuits d’Afrique | Manamba Kanté, An Undeniable Diva

Nuits d’Afrique | Manamba Kanté, An Undeniable Diva

Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, A Feline Like No Other

Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, A Feline Like No Other

Nights of Africa 2025 | A gnawa fusion reactor named Saïd Mesnaoui

Nights of Africa 2025 | A gnawa fusion reactor named Saïd Mesnaoui

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Sousou and Maher Cissoko: benevolence and complicity

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Sousou and Maher Cissoko: benevolence and complicity

Nuits d’Afrique | Las Karamba And Their Militant Salsa

Nuits d’Afrique | Las Karamba And Their Militant Salsa

Women shine at the Quebec City Opera Festival

Women shine at the Quebec City Opera Festival

Festival de Lanaudière | A Successful Choral Evening for Akamus

Festival de Lanaudière | A Successful Choral Evening for Akamus

Festival d’art vocal de Montréal | Training the Next Generation of Lyric Artists, From Voice to Stage Direction

Festival d’art vocal de Montréal | Training the Next Generation of Lyric Artists, From Voice to Stage Direction

Nuits d’Afrique | Soul Bang’s, The King of Improvisation

Nuits d’Afrique | Soul Bang’s, The King of Improvisation

Nuits d’Afrique | Tyrane Mondeny: The Rising Star Has Reached Her Destination

Nuits d’Afrique | Tyrane Mondeny: The Rising Star Has Reached Her Destination

Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, The Sound of Subtropical Pop

Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, The Sound of Subtropical Pop

Nuits d’Afrique | Glowzi, in Soundsystem Mode

Nuits d’Afrique | Glowzi, in Soundsystem Mode

Nuits d’Afrique | Mateus Vidal & Axé Experience, “Uma Festa” in The Rain

Nuits d’Afrique | Mateus Vidal & Axé Experience, “Uma Festa” in The Rain

Subscribe to our newsletter